February Photography Series, Elko Photography

Love to Hate


I'm the mommy to 4 beautiful children.  I love them dearly but sometimes they drive me bonkers.
While contemplating what to photograph this morning I noticed these markers left out. AGAIN.  We have this white board that sits on a table in our living room.  It got put there once to that I could use its magnetic properties do display photographs when I had the studio set up there and it just kinda stayed.  The photographs got moved and then the kids discovered some dry erase markers and it was all over with.  It gets erased, and changed nearly daily.  They loving having it around, and I love seeing their drawings.  Lily however switches up the lids on the rare occasions that she puts the lids back on.  Drives me nuts.  Do you know what gets dry erase marker out of clothing, and table cloths.?.. Nothing.  (So if you know the magic answer please enlighten me!)

Joy in Love, What They Wear

The photography  prompt for today was "What They Wear".  I KNEW that for this one I had to feature my little fashionista. Somedays I'm not sure whose child this is... I'm such a jeans and a t-shirt kinda gal and she wore a bolero jacket, fancy scarf, skinny jeans and boots to school today.  Gotta love this girl.  :)  

Now what she would really like to do is wear a prom dress to school every day.. not gonna happen.  This girl seriously loves her sparkles. 

But it does make today the perfect day to announce my upcoming "Rock the Dress" sessions.  
On two Saturdays this spring, just before the Elko High School Prom, and just before the Spring Creek High School Prom I'm going to hold mini sessions for girls to have a rock star day.  We'll have the studio set up and plenty of room for snacks and hanging out.  Lots of mirrors and access to outlets for your last minute touch ups.  Make a fun day of it with your friends!


Call me at 775 340-5518 or email wingsofblue.melissaATgmailDOTcom to reserve your time. 

February Photography Series, Wedding vs. Now

Today's photography prompt from Joy in Love was "Then and Now"

Next month Kevin and I will celebrate our 12th Anniversary. Can it really have been that long since our wedding?

I was SO sick in this picture.  Our photographer was fantastic I would cough cough cough and then quickly smile and he would snap.  In all our photos he only caught me coughing once, with film.  He was a brave, brave soul.

This is this evening after putting 4 kids to bed.  My how life has changed.  Wouldn't trade it for the world. 

And just for kicks, here is the one of the two of us from this spring, back at the same place.  Tara does a much better job than my self timer.  :)  

Jessica and Edward ~Elko Wedding and Basque Clubhouse Reception

Jessica and Edward were married at the St Joseph's Catholic church here in Elko.  The bridal party then scooted over to the Star for a few drinks while guests gathered at the Basque Club house. The trolley brought them to greet their guests for dinner and dancing there. 

The Catholic Church here is such a beautiful venue.  So much light pours in from the windows on both sides of the sanctuary. 

 

I have to sneak in one of the detail shots here, aren't Jessica's shoes to die for?

 

Dance time.  I don't think it gets any better then it did that night.  The heat of the day was starting to wane and our bellies were full from the scrumptious food, and the light, oh my goodness the light, the light during the first dances was PERFECTION.  

Jessica and Edward

 

 Father / Daughter Dance

 The sun set and the DJ canked it up for a PARTY!

Thank you Jessica and Ed  for letting me be a small part of your special day. 

Images photographed for Adrianne, of Aidge's Images. 

Newborn Eli ~ Elko Photographer

This little, well, not so little guy was SO sweet!  He slept good, and even when not sleeping barely cried.  He and I played and snuggled and his mom caught a short (and I'm sure much needed!) nap on my couch.  Even if he hadn't been such a dream, newborns are always worth the effort. 

I get asked occasionally about baby photos and keeping baby content during them.  First thing I do is I crank that heat up!  I keep the studio space pretty warm during the session so that baby is totally comfortable. Second, we take our time.  Newborn sessions definitely involve way more time spent soothing, nursing, and rocking than actually spent taking photos. Third, while a later session is not unheard of, I prefer to photograph in the first week or so of life, up to about 10 days.  This is when babies are still sleepy, and like to be curled up.  They change so much even just in those first few weeks, this ensures that we capture the "newness".  This little guy was born in Boise and then came home to Elko so he was a week old before I got my hands on him.  He still slept like a charm though. 

I love babies!

 All the little parts...

 Can't you just smell him?!

Love the faces they make!

 

  
 More of little Eli can be seen HERE .

Christopher~ Spring Creek High School Senior Photographer

Chris is SO funny!  In one of my initial emails with him he filled out a questionnaire for me so that I could get to know him better.  In his answers he said that one of the things he wanted to remember about this year was Homecoming Cheerleading.  I was trying to figure out how to incorporate a cheerleading uniform and an appropriate location into the shoot we already had planned and the time frame we had.  I laughed so hard when I figured out he was talking about powder puff cheerleading... I had totally forgotten about that.  I've been out of high school longer than I thought I guess. 

 

 

Christopher was a total trooper and followed me all around downtown Elko.  There are some great spots for photos in this little town but they are certainly not all right around the corner from each other!  We also spent some time at St. Joesph's Catholic Church to get some more personal shots as religion is very important to Christopher.

Christopher's Gallery can bee seen HERE.  

More posts coming soon... I will get caught up on my blogging!

Sweet Melanie ~ Newborn Photography, Elko, NV

I just don't think it gets any sweeter than this little girl.  Typically I like to photograph Newborns within the first 10 days of life.  This is when they are still all curled up, very sleepy and very pose-able.  That wasn't possible with Melanie, but I think I might like this better. :)  At 3 1/2 weeks she was really starting to show some personality!  She stayed awake for much of the session, but we did get her to sleep a bit at the end. 

I love being able to capture all the little bits that make babies so amazing. 

I don't think there could be two more loving parents than these two. 

 

Fall will be here before we know it! ~ Elko Portrait Photographer

Summer has been a whirlwind!! I can not believe that August is almost here!  I have traveled from Elko, to New York City and back again.  I thought things would slow down when I got home but they haven't.  It is wonderful.  :)  It does make me nostalgic for the lazy days of summer of my childhood.  Wait, they weren't lazy, we were up for 7am swim practice every day, then home for chores and who knows what else.  Thanks mom for putting up with all that!  :)   

Photo wise I am barely keeping up with my editing, and loving every minute of it.  Seniors, have you had your portraits done yet?  If not I have a fantastic deal for you in August.  $125 for your session with a $50 credit towards the prints of your choice.  And as a bonus for booking before the end of August (shoot Aug-Sept) get a pack of 50 "411" cards.  

A Senior session includes:

~Approximately 1 hour shooting time at up to 2 locations.  

~Unlimited wardrobe change (you can change all you want, but change fast!)

~Minimum 15 images, typical is 20+, dependent on locations, wardrobe changes, props you bring.

~Minor retouching on all final images (no need to stress out over that pimple)

~Online gallery available for 6 months

~Use of web sized images for sharing via email/Facebook

And as an additional note... Families, are you starting to think about that holiday card photo yet?  Fall schedules fill up fast, so be sure to lock in the date that works best for you.    

2 Quick Sneak Peeks ~ Elko, NV Photographer

I am headed out of town on vacation.  NYC for a family wedding and then wander our way back across the country visiting family and friends.   It will be several weeks before I am back, and I am computer-less on the road (all 3000+ miles of it EEK!)  I wanted to give these two understanding families a quick peek before I head out since they have to wait until I am back for their full galleries. 

I had so much fun with this little princess and her family! 

And another amazing maternity session.  I am so glad that we did  this session last week before all the mud slides in the canyon! 

Mr and Mrs Coleman ~ Elko, NV Wedding Photographer

I am SO honored and blessed to have been a part of John and Lee's Wedding Celebration.  We started the day with all the girls getting all dolled up, then over to the First Baptist Church for their ceremony. Both Lee and John have been married before and told me several times that this time around they really wanted to do it "right."  I think they fully and completely accomplished that. The ceremony was short, but oh so sweet.  You could really feel the love between them as they spoke their vows. They are truly dedicated to one another no mater what the future may hold.

 

       

 

 

We then headed straight over to the Red Lion ballroom for an amazing party. Lee had thought of every detail and it really showed.  Elegant, elegant, elegant, WOW! What a fun night, thank you for letting me be a part of your day.  

Congratulations and best wishes for many happy years to come. 

 

 

 
 
More highlights going up on their Gallery over the next few days.